Chaired by Bega Valley Shire mayor Tony Allen, the meeting, which attracted over 100 people, was at times fiery with diverse opinions given and many comments made.

There was frustration from some quarters about even having a meeting as it was said the issues had all been previously canvassed by the community and agreed on, so why were they changed.

While there were many ideas about the town hall, the main criticism was for the proposal for Littleton Gardens.

Car parking was a big issue and when questions were asked of general manger Peter Tegart about what land council owned, he stumbled over the answer, upon which former mayor Edna Duncanson took him to task about his lack of knowledge.

However, the main focus was on the problems with Gowing Lane, now a one-way street but with plans to become two-way with a dead end in the gardens.

As well as listening to the views of those at the meeting, afterwards Keith Broomfield of Magpie Music said the pedestrian and vehicular traffic in the area was” a nightmare”.

“We watch every day as trucks go in and are followed by cars that can’t pass them,” he said.

“The cars are then forced to back out and some of the drivers are not very good at it so there are near misses all the time.

“It is plainly ridiculous not to have it as a one-way through road.”

Bega Chamber of Commerce president Robert Hayson of Fletcher’s Fotographics said the idea of Gowing Lane being a two-way street with turning at the end was completely wrong.

“Every day there are problems in the lane and they will become worse and worse if they change it like they are trying to do,” he said.

“We have been told there is plenty of room for delivery trucks to pass but anyone can see there isn’t.

“Woolworths don’t want it this way, the businesses around here don’t want it, the community doesn’t want it and the truck drivers certainly don’t want it, so why on earth are we having it.

“It is stupid and the plans of this have got to change.”

As far as public toilets are concerned, Mr Hayson said the outrage from the community was growing stronger.

The old toilets in Little Gardens are scheduled for demolition when the new Woolworths development begins, but will be replaced by a temporary facility at the eastern end of the car park.

There are no plans to build permanent toilets when the complex opens, rather the public has to use those in the shopping complex during opening hours.

“Since the BDN had the story about the toilets I have had people coming into the shop constantly, telling me they want public toilets, not just ones in the new complex,” Mr Hayson said.

“The community has paid rates for the toilets there now so it shouldn’t make much difference to have the temporary ones made permanent.

“They say it will cost about $250,000 which is not that much money for something the community wants and needs.

“They don’t want to have to go to Woolworths; it is simple really – build new toilets.”

Towards the end of the meeting Cr Allen asked for a show of hands regarding the removal of trees in Carp Street to allow for more parking.

The vote was almost unanimous in favour of the idea.

After the meeting, Cr Allen said he was “extremely pleased with the roll up” and was happy there had been “forthright discussions”.

“People were generally respectful and even though there were plenty of views it was a fruitful meeting and those that attended conducted themselves very well,” he said.

“There have been some very good suggestions made and council needs to consider these ideas very closely.

“The comments in most cases were justified and I am sure we can come to the right solution for everyone.”

Mr Sartori said the views of the meeting were very clear.

“The community wants Gowing Lane to remain as it is and they also want public toilets,” he said.

“I don’t want to pre-empt council decisions but we will take this back to them and I am sure they will look at it closely.”